HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/22/2013 Board of Appeals OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
CITY OF COLUMBIA HEIGHTS
BOARD OF APPEALS AND EQUALIZATION MEETING
Monday, April 22, 2013
The following are the minutes for the Board of Appeals and Equalization for the City of
Columbia Heights City Council held at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, April 22, 2013, in the City
Council Chambers, City Hall, 590 40th Avenue N.E., Columbia Heights, Minnesota.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor Gary Peterson at 6:08 PM.
ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmembers Schmitt, Diehm, Nawrocki; Mayor Peterson
Absent: Councilmember Williams
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE OF THE BOARD OF REVIEW
To review property valuations as of January 2, 2013 for taxes payable 2014, and to hear
appeals from citizens who feel aggrieved or have questions regarding property valuations.
INTRODUCTION
The City Manager introduced the Anoka County Appraisers: Jim Rouleau—Senior and
Commercial Appraiser and Mike Brown, Residential Appraiser. Appraiser Mike Brown
referred to the Board of Review booklet he distributed. This is for the 2013 assessment
to compute property taxes for 2014. He gave a brief overview of the property tax process
and a recap of the current assessments for Columbia Heights.
As of January 2, 2013, there were 7,594 parcels in the City. This include 6,905
residential parcels (90.93%), 314 tax exempt parcels (4.33%), 236 commercial industrial
parcels (3.11%), 124 apartment parcels (1.63%), 8 tax-forfeited parcels, 5 personal
property parcels, and 2 railroad parcels. A map was provided to the council on what
areas/parcels were reviewed. During the 2012 study period for the 2013 assessment,
6,218 sales countywide of all property types were recorded. Of these sales, only 2,266
were considered "arms-length"transactions. The remaining 3,952 sales not considered
arms-length would include foreclosure sales, bank sales, sales involving government
entities, and sales between related parties.
The 2013 Anoka County Residential Sales Ratio median ratio was 94.5 and the Columbia
Heights ratio was 94.6. Countywide there were 6,218 sales. Of these sales, only 2,266
were considered as qualified and the remaining 3,952 sales were considered as
unqualified sales or foreclosures sales, bank sales, sales involving government entities
and sales between related parties.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS REGARDING PROPERTY VALUES
At this time, citizens in attendance were given an opportunity to raise questions regarding
their property valuations.
The following people were in attendance and spoke:
Bob and Fran Hollenbeck, 4727 Chatham Road, PIN 25-30-24-41-0041. The resident
had concerns and questions, especially about the homestead exclusion, which were
addressed by Appraiser Mike Brown.
Wes Toudouze, tax agent for Health Care Reit, Inc., 3801 Hart Boulevard, PIN 36-30-
24-44-0023 and 0024. Mr. Toudouze presented a packet of information to the Mayor and
city councilmembers supporting his request for a reduction of values for this property.
After discussion of his comparisons, it was suggested that the value for the property in
question remain the same, and he should go through options with the county.
David Morisette, d/b/a Dumore Investments, LLC, owner of 4621 University Avenue,
PIN 26-30-24-34-0095, delivered a letter to city offices today, along with other property
comparisons supporting a value decrease. Mr. Morisette felt the 2014 taxable market
value for this property should be adjusted to $570,000. After discussion with the
County's Commercial Appraiser, Jim Rouleau, it was suggested that the value for this
property remain the same, and Mr. Morisette should go through options with the county.
In summary, no changes in values were made to the petitioners' properties who appeared
tonight or to the request by letter recorded above and received by the appraisers and the
City Council tonight.
COUNCIL ACTIONS REGARDING SPECIFIC CASES OR CASES ON WHICH
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS DESIRED
Motion was made by Councilmember Schmitt, seconded by Councilmember Diehm to
adopt the 2013 Assessment Rolls as presented and amended. Upon Vote: 4 ayes, 0 nays
and 1 absent. Motion passed.
The meeting adjourned at 6:42 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Carole J. Blowers
Secretary Pro Tem